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Portland Timbers, player by player

First-year Portland Timbers coach John Spencer is about as vocal as they come. At a recent practice, from more than 80 yards away, Spencer could be heard shouting instructions to his players in an expletive-laden Scottish brogue.

The Portland Tribune caught up with Spencer to hear his thoughts on the Timbers' roster and who will be taking the pitch this season.

'He's a good young player. He's just learning the game. Hopefully, if he keeps working hard and becomes a good professional, maybe he'll make himself a career in the game.'

Freddie Braun M 5-10 160 05/13/88 Portland Timbers U-23 (PDL)

'He's a kid that has a tremendous attitude and just a willingness to work every day and wants to be a professional so bad.'

Adin Brown GK 6-5 230 05/27/78 Portland Timbers (USSF D-2)

'He's not a young guy, but he's been in the league for a number of years, he's been in Europe. He just brings a wealth of experience.'

Eric Brunner D 6-4 170 02/12/86 Columbus Crew

'He's had a number of games in Major League Soccer, brings a wealth of experience to the group and has had a very good spring training.'

Kenny Cooper F 6-3 210 10/21/84 TSV 1860 Munich

'Big, strong, powerful, athletic forward. Should be one of our top goal scorers this year.'

Mamadou "Futty" Danso D 6-3 185 04/27/83 Portland Timbers (USSF D-2)

'Big, big, powerful, athletic central defender.'

Bright Dike F 6-1 220 02/02/87 Portland Timbers (USSF D-2)

'Sadly enough we lost Bright to a season-ending injury our first spring training game of the season. Big loss for us. Hugely powerful center forward with tremendous pace and causes teams a lot of problems.'

Jake Gleeson G 6-3 200 06/26/90 Portland Timbers U-23 (PDL)

'Tremendous, tremendous potential to be a top goalkeeper, not just in Major League Soccer, but possibly overseas in Europe.'

Kevin Goldthwaite D 6-1 180 12/09/82 Portland Timbers (USSF D-2)

' 'Goldy' is one I had in Houston for a couple of years there. He's played for a couple MLS clubs and has a wealth of experience.'

Jeremy Hall 17 M 5-11 165 09/11/88 New York Red Bulls

'He's one that has a tremendous attitude and is a good technical player.'

David Horst 12 D 6-4 210 10/25/85 Real Salt Lake

'Big, powerful central defender, great pace, has all the tools to become a top central defender in this league.'

Jack Jewsbury M 6-0 185 04/13/81 Sporting Kansas City

'He'll be our captain this year. Always turns up to practice, always turns up to play and puts on good, consistent performances, week in, week out.'

Eddie Johnson F 5-11 185 09/20/84 Austin Aztex (USSF D-2)

'He started his young career at Manchester United, and it didn't work out there, for whatever reason. He came over to America, played for the Austin Aztex and did very well in Division-2 last year.'

Peter Lowry M 5-11 165 10/02/85 Chicago Fire

'He's a cultured midfield player that controls the tempo of the game and controls the flow of the game.'

James Marcelin M 6-2 175 06/13/86 Portland Timbers (USSF D-2)

'James is Haitian born. Tremendous athlete. He's just turned professional in the last couple of years, and if he picks up the professional game pretty quickly, he could be a big force in this league.'

Adam Moffat M 6-0 175 05/15/86 Columbus Crew

'Scottish kid, came from Columbus in the expansion draft. He's a box-to-box midfield player.'

Darlington Nagbe M/F 5-9 165 07/19/90 University of Akron

'Fantastic young player. Our No. 2 draft pick. Probably the best young player in the college game over the last three or four years, and we're delighted to have him.'

Troy Perkins GK 6-1 190 07/29/81 D.C. United

'Fantastic goalkeeper with a wealth of experience. Could possibly, if he plays well this year, get back in the national team camp.'

Jorge Perlaza F 5-10 155 10/11/84 Deportes Tolima (Colombia)

'He has the potential to be our leading goal scorer in this league.'

Ryan Pore M 5-11 165 09/23/83 Portland Timbers (USSF D-2)

'He was probably the standout player from Division-2 last year. He has the potential to step up and be the same in Major League Soccer.'

Steve Purdy D 6-4 190 02/05/85 Portland Timbers (USSF D-2)

'He's a central defender that's been put to the right back area. He has tremendous pace and size, and I'm looking for big things from him this year.'

Rodney Wallace D 5-10 160 06/17/88 D.C. United

'He's just coming back from injury, and we expect good things from him.'

Sal Zizzo M 5-10 165 04/03/87 Chivas USA

'A young player that was part of the young national team squads. Hopefully, if he plays well here consistently and stays on the field, it might be that he gets back on the national team.'